Stand for Fulbright Grassroots Advocacy Training 2018 Max Burns, PhD Former President, Gordon State College Fulbright Senior Scholar, Sweden Former Congressman, GA-12

Welcome and Introduction Greetings and Welcome Introduction to this Webinar: Renew the Stand for Fulbright campaign Underscore the importance of grassroots advocacy Train chapters to roll out their advocacy outreach in coordination with FA at the local level Brief you on our “Ask” and messaging Train (or remind) you how to meet with members of Congress and/or staff in district and state offices

Your Participation in this Webinar We will first have the training Then we will answer your written questions To ask questions, use the “Chat” function to submit them throughout this webinar If you are seeing this webinar as a recording and have questions, or if you have questions later, please email us: advocacy@fulbright.org

You believe in Fulbright’s Mission The Fulbright Program changed your life, like it has for 380,000 alumni worldwide An anchor to international diplomacy for 70 years, now in 165 countries A powerful force for peace and understanding

Fulbright Program is Vulnerable The Program is appropriated by Congress each year, so one year’s funding is no guarantee it will continue The Fulbright Program has no endowment, no “foundation,” no independent source of funds Members of Congress and their staff turnover quickly, and memory of Senator Fulbright is fading—so they may not know the Program, its impact, or its history

The current Administration proposes to cut Fulbright—again! 47% cut proposed in 2017 for FY18 Through our advocacy efforts, 91% of Congress was contacted Nearly 12,000 alumni and friends signed the petition Held 2 Advocacy Days with over 200 meetings Defeated by the Stand for Fulbright Campaign and bipartisan support in Congress 71% cut proposed this year for FY19 Through our nationwide advocacy efforts we need you to again Stand for Fulbright

What is advocacy? Advocacy is the process of educating Congress on an issue or program. It is a key role for FA. We want Congress to make informed decisions about funding the Fulbright Program You can best share the Fulbright story with decision makers Why is the Fulbright a smart investment for U.S.? What has been the impact on you, your organization, community, state & nation? The Fulbright Community—past and future— needs you to tell that story to save the program

Stand for Fulbright An integrated campaign All In: Petition, Write-In, Call-In March 5-20: We invite friends of international education to Stand for Fulbright, asking to not support an Admin- proposed 71% cut and help restore funding at $252m National: Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill March 21: Alumni and friends make scheduled visits with Members of Congress to advocate for the Fulbright Grassroots: Visits to District and State Offices March 23-April 6: Building on momentum Grassroots contact will be unique and powerful Local offices are often overlooked, and there is a greater chance to meet with members/senators directly, increasing your impact

First steps Identify the decision maker Who are your Representative and Senators? House.gov – Click on “Find your Representative’ Senate.gov – Click on “Senators” These will give you names, district/state office locations Reach out to the FA Office by March 5 Send an email to advocacy@fulbright.org Tell us what office/s you can visit in your area We will connect you with chapters, who will schedule visits, March 23-April 6 (please be flexible on timing). They will contact you with visit details

Chapter Coordination Chapter Presidents or Advocacy Directors will receive a list of regional volunteers from the FA Office on March 5, with contact information and names of Representative and Senators Reach out to those volunteers, sharing all info Contact the respective congressional offices, asking for an appointment to discuss the Fulbright Program between March 23 and April 6 (the Easter Recess). Be flexible! Tell the volunteers the date, time and location Inform the DC office, which will support you and send you materials for meeting/s

Preparing for the Meeting/s Review the Ask/Messaging and other resources available at fulbright.org/advocacy; FA Office will mail you a “leave behind” folder Research online more about your representative and senators, focusing on foreign policy and education positions; know committees and hashtag Speak by phone with the other advocates on your team to agree on logistics (where, when) and roles Who takes the lead? What order will you tell stories? (Be aware of time) Who asks to not support cuts proposed by the Administration and to support increased funding? Who closes the meeting?

At the meeting (Part 1) Remember that time is limited Introductions: Where you live, where you did a Fulbright (as appropriate), what you do now Remind them you are there to support the Fulbright Program, and to help them better understand its importance and impact Tell stories of your experience, as it illustrates the messages. This is the primary value you bring to the meeting.

At the meeting (Part 2) Give the member/staffer the “Ask/Message” Ask them to not support the 71% Administration- proposed cut Urge them to help restore funding at $252m (if asked, this is a 5% increase over FY18 funding at $240m; 4 years of 5% increases restores 2010 funding) Explain that Fulbright, “A Smart Investment,” contributes to… National Security thanks to friends and alliances Local Economies through visiting Fulbrighters and local alumni International Education through research and teaching exchanges, including strategic languages

At the meeting (Part 3) If needed, explain the features of the Program The world’s largest exchange program to/from 165 countries 2/3 of grantees are in-bound internationals, spending locally (and on restricted J-1 visas that require they return home) Foreign governments contribute $103 million, often more than the U.S. to some programs (e.g., Germany) 1,300 U.S. universities and colleges nationwide have grant recipients The “Fulbright” name is admired worldwide

Tips for Success Stay positive: Do not criticize them or the Administration (do not even mention the president) Keep it bipartisan: The program has friends in both parties; talking to you about Fulbright is a relief from conflict—keep it that way! Stay focused: Do not bring up other issues and keep on message Make it personal: Memorable meetings feature stories of impact, not budgets Be yourself and have fun!

As you leave… Thank them for their time, attention and public service (they rarely get that thanks) Ask them if they need any further information (relay that need to advocacy@fulbright.org) Tell them you appreciate their support for the Fulbright Program, give them leave behinds Get business cards to send a follow up and include them on chapter event invitations If a member/senator, get a group photo to post and send to advocacy@fulbright.org

After your meeting… Report on meeting to advocacy@fulbright.org, including whom you met and contact info Post w/pictures to social media, include hashtag #StandForFulbright and the member’s/senator’s hashtag, and share with the FA Office Write to the member or staff, thanking them Become active in your chapter, become an Advocacy Coordinator to involve others in grassroots work Develop an Advocacy Plan for your chapter, including meetings during August Recess, attending town halls/ “Listening Sessions,” and invitations to Congressional offices for events. (Consult/coordinate w FA Office.)

Questions Good luck as you Stand for Fulbright and thank you!